BOSS Eddie Howe praised his Cherries players after they secured three points in a “very hostile” atmosphere at Millwall.

A penalty from Yann Kermorgant and a fifth goal in as many league games from Harry Arter sent Cherries four points clear at the top of the Championship.

In a bitty contest that saw seven yellow cards and one red brandished by referee David Coote, the visitors extended to 14 games their unbeaten league run in front of a partisan home support.

Responding to questions from the Daily Echo, Howe said: “Whenever you come to Millwall you know it’s going to be difficult. It was very hostile today and I thought we dealt with the atmosphere and the challenges that it posed.

“We concentrated on the football, which was the most important thing from our perspective – to keep 11 men on the pitch.

“To get involved in all the other stuff, it can only affect you negatively. The crowd were very aggressive and Millwall had their game plan but it didn’t really sway us.

“We always felt if we could keep a clean sheet we would have a good chance to win the game. I didn’t feel we were ever really under pressure. The goals came at good times and we took them well.

“We have been 2-0 ahead against Millwall before and in the second half it was a good test for us. I felt we were professional and, obviously, the sending-off helped.

“We could have scored more goals. All in all, without being at our very best, I think it was a comfortable win.”

On Arter’s goalscoring exploits, Howe added: “It’s come out of the blue for Harry. He has performed very well this season and now he’s getting the goals to back that up.

“We need goals from everywhere. It was good to see Yann Kermorgant come back into the team and score and for Harry to continue his run.

“We’ve have had no problem scoring goals this season but, the most important thing is back-to-back clean sheets.”